| Hurricane Frederic |
Article Index for Hurricane |
Website Links For Hurricane |
Information AboutHurricane Frederic |
Hurricane Frederic was the sixth Tropical Cyclone , third Hurricane and second major hurricane of the 1979 Atlantic Hurricane Season . Frederic was one of the costliest hurricanes to ever hit the U.S. Gulf Coast . Starting with heavy rains over the Virgin Islands & Puerto Rico , Frederic weakened to tropical-storm force across Cuba , regaining hurricane force upon landfall in Alabama on the night of September 12 , 1979 , at Dauphin Island with 125-mph (201 km/h) winds and Storm Surge of 8-12 ft (2-4.7 m). Frederic crossed the state line, slowing to a tropical storm near Meridian, Mississippi . Damage estimates vary from $4-8 billion (2005 USD ), with variations due to inadequate reporting of private insurance claims as well as lack of hard data on uninsured damage. FEMA , which had been established only three months before Frederic hit, was the focal point for nearly $250 million in federal aid for recovery, $188 million of which went to Alabama (1979 USD ). STORM HISTORY Frederic originated as a tropical wave which moved off the west coast of Africa late on August 27 , 1979 , and became a Tropical Depression at 0600 ( GMT ) on August 29 . Moving westward with a steady forward speed of 18 knots, it strengthened into Tropical Storm Frederic at 1200 (GMT) on August 30 and was further upgraded to a hurricane at 0600 (GMT) on September 1 , while centered approximately 650 miles (1045 km) east of the Lesser Antilles .1 Although conditions were initially very favorable for significant intensification, Frederic began to experience the outflow of on September 6 . Further weakening caused Frederic to drop below tropical storm strength later on the 6th just north of Haiti.2 Continuing westward, Frederic crossed southeastern Cuba before paralleling the island's southern coast for the next four days. During this period, Frederic eventually escaped the unfavorable conditions left behind by David and regained tropical storm strength 100 miles (160 km) east of Cuba's Isle of Pines at about 0000 (GMT) on September 9 . A turn towards the northwest followed, and Frederic became a hurricane once more near 1200 (GMT) on September 10 , as it moved away from the western tip of Cuba . Frederic achieved this despite its center of circulation remaining close to land, probably because of sea surface temperatures of 29-30C and favorable upper-level conditions due to the presence of a large anticyclone at 200mb over the storm.34 Frederic continued to intensify as it moved into the (HPa), making a Category 4 hurricane.56 Frederic weakened slightly before it made landfall on Dauphin Island , Alabama at 0300 ( GMT ) on September 13 . Sustained winds were estimated at 125 mph, making Frederic a strong Category 3 hurricane at the time. The central pressure at the time was 946 Mb . Landfall on the mainland occurred about an hour later near the Mississippi state line.7 Moving inland, Frederic turned north and northeast and was downgraded to a tropical storm near Meridian, Mississippi . Frederic became extratropical in southwestern Pennsylvania as it merged with a frontal low in at about 1200 (GMT) on September 14 , and moved rapidly northeastward before dissipating.8 PREPARATIONS Up to 500,000 were evacuated from the U.S. Gulf Coast in anticipation of Frederic's arrival. At the time, this was the largest evacuation in Gulf Coast history. IMPACT Lesser Antilles Sustained winds of 25-35kt with gusts up to 60kt buffeted the northeastern Caribbean. Frederic brought heavy rains to the Virgin Islands , where some tornadoes were also reported; in St. Thomas, 12 inches (0.3 m) of rain fell in the space of 24 hours, while 24 inches (.6 m) fell in the space of 30 hours in St. Croix. At St. Maarten, a fishing boat sank killing seven people.9 Puerto Rico As much as 10 inches (0.3 m) of rain falling in 12 hours was reported in the eastern part of the islands. There were also some reports of tornadoes.10 Dominican Republic Heavy rains of up to 24 inches (.6 m) in total were experienced for several days after the center of Frederic's circulation passed, which worsened the damage caused by David just a week earlier.11 Cuba Frederic had minimal impact in eastern Cuba, but damage estimates were high in western Cuba due to a strengthening Frederic bringing tropical storm-force winds and heavy rains. United States Storm surge damage was reported along 80 miles of coastline from Mississippi to Florida , with tides 8 to 12 feet (2.4-3.7 m) above the normal level being observed. Near-total property damage occurred along the Alabama coastline between Fort Morgan and Gulf Shores , the latter seeing 80% of its buildings completely destroyed. The causeway linking Dauphin Island to the mainland was swept away in many areas.12 |
|
|